The continuation of wrestling in the Olympics was “critically important” to the health of the sport at the grass-roots level in the United States, said Jim Scherr, a former chief executive of the United States Olympic Committee.

It took just one round of voting for wresting to gain the outright majority needed to return to the Olympic fold, 49 votes compared to 24 for baseball-softball and 22 for squash.

Changes made: Opened more weight classes for females

2-3 Minute matches vs. 3-2 Minute

Changed the scoring system to be better understood

Wrestling teaches discipline, direction, and focus. It helps to raise self-confidence and teaches personal responsibility. It helps to promote both mental and physical strength. It helps youth to learn to set and work to achieve goals. It promotes healthy nutrition habits. Wrestling is not just a sport it’s a life. As the popular quote by Dan Gable goes “once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy!”